The media loves stories like the ‘Sunshine List.’ They’re easy to do and ready-made to garner public reaction.

But they are a ‘snapshot’ story, and don’t tell the whole tale. While the public may be riled about the money being paid to public servants, they need to put it in perspective.

Many of those in Simcoe County high up on the ‘Sunshine List’ should in fact be compared to CEOs of large corporations. They are in charge of multi-million-dollar budgets and lead organizations vital to the health of a community.

Hospital administrators fit in here, as do municipal officials like police and fire chiefs and CAOs.

Keep in mind the jobs they before while passing judgment on how much they make.

At first glance, it seems the salaries of administrators like Janice Skot, CEO of Royal Victoria Hospital, and Brian Tamblyn, president of Georgian College, are exorbitant. At  $275,009 and $272,338 respectively, they are the top two public-wage earners in the county.

But both these organizations not only provide services to the communities they serve, they’re also a marketing advantage to sell the merits of the area. Efficient and effective public services are an enticement to investment. If they do their jobs properly, administrators like Skot and Tamblyn earn their pay.

The same can be said for those further down on the Sunshine List, so-called because those on it are deemed to be in a pretty sunny place, salary-wise.

Former Premier Mike Harris began the list in 1996 as a transparency measure. Since then, the list has grown by leaps and bounds as those on the public dime hit the $100,000-a-year mark.

Hospital administrators in Simcoe County sit atop the list: Collingwood’s General and Marine’s Linda Davis earns $180,393; Orillia Soldier’s Memorial’s Bernie Schmidt makes $268,117; Alliston’s Stevenson Memorial’s Edward Takacs takes in $155,385; Penetanguishene General Hospital’s Carol Lambie makes $149,787.

No surprise there, as hospitals are among the most important organizations in the county. We want qualified individuals who know how to run them.

Educators are also high on the list, with Simcoe County District School Board education director Gord Campbell making $178,059, and Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board director Michael O’Keefe earning $180,868.

But also on the list are high-ranking police and fire officials, as well as some school principals.

Again, the money they make has to be kept in perspective. Principals, for instance, are managers.

They not only have to answer to their supervisors, but also to the students and parents of their schools.

So while it’s an easy story for the media, and one that raises righteous indignation among the public, spare a thought for the job being done while venting about the money being paid.